Why Investing in Trade Compliance Talent Pays Off
A recent enforcement case offers a useful reminder for any company engaged in global trade: the strength of your trade compliance team matters more than ever in today’s geopolitical environment.
In June 2026, Bosch agreed to pay $36.1 million to resolve U.S. export control violations involving shipments to a sanctioned party, in connection with the Foreign Direct Product Rule. According to the Commerce Department’s order, a contributing factor was that the company’s U.S. export controls function was thinly resourced as the rules grew more complex, leading to misinterpretations of which regulations applied.
What stands out is how the company responded. As part of its remediation, Bosch significantly expanded its trade compliance function, growing that team from 2 to 66 trade compliance professionals and updated its policies and procedures. The investment in the right team became central to moving forward.
It’s a pattern worth noting. Export controls, sanctions, and trade regulations are intricate and constantly evolving, and the agencies that enforce them continue to dedicate significant resources to doing so. For companies that work with U.S. origin technology, ship across borders, or operate near regulated markets, that complexity is only increasing.
The encouraging takeaway is that this is a very manageable risk. A strong trade compliance function comes down to having the right people in place:
- Experienced specialists who can confidently interpret rules like the EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions, and the Foreign Direct Product Rule. (DEPTH)
- Enough capacity that questions and concerns get the attention they deserve. (CAPACITY)
- A voice in the business that is high enough, so compliance is part of decisions early rather than after the fact. (LEVEL)
The cost of building a capable trade compliance team is modest compared to the cost of an enforcement action and, just as importantly, a strong team helps a business move faster and with more confidence in global markets. Investing in that talent proactively is one of the smartest decisions a globally active company can make. We can help with that buildout! We’ve been doing it for 25+ years.
| Sources: Bosch Pays $36M on Export Control Fails — Radical Compliance
From the author:
I specialize in placing trade compliance, export controls, and global trade professionals. If you’re thinking about strengthening your trade compliance team, please reach out.
Lauren Dyck
Senior Director of Client Relations – Trade Compliance
Email: Lauren@GatewayRecruiting.com
